Ricky DiPietro: The Adventure Begins

By Jeff Morton

September 12th, 2000

It was very quiet in the Olympic Arena at Lake Placid, New York onFriday morning, the first official day of the New York Islanders’training camp. One skater took the ice then another and so on until theice was full of players passing, shooting and getting their ice legsback in order. I came all the way from Durham, New Hampshire late theprevious evening to see the number one draft pick take the ice to passor fail. As the players were filing in so too were the coaches, scoutsand various staff members from the Islanders organization presumably tosee the same player I had come to see. I recognized John Vanbiesbrouck,Jason Krog and several others but no DiPietro. He was in the secondgroup so the anticipation had some time to mount. Soon the first groupwas finished with their work out and off to the side ice sheet for ascrimmage. About an hour later the second group began to file in. Theyall looked the same, big and focused, distinguished only by differentcolored sweaters, except for the goalies. Three or four goalies tookthe ice and DiPietro stood out like a sore thumb. Brand spankin’ newpads, glove, blocker, helmet, everything absolutely pristine. The othergoalies had marked up pads from several games of use. That was the onlydifference though, Ricky DiPietro was the consummate professional. Hedidn’t look nervous or excited, he just followed instructions,participated and above all stopped pucks.

After the second group finished their on ice work out they headed overto the side ice sheet for their scrimmage. DiPietro stopped shots,played the puck, and barked directions and warnings to his teammates. He is bold and forthright and has an extraordinary ability to take overa game. He fired a couple of outlet passes, long range of course, tosurprised teammates expecting to have to come back for the puck. He didlet in one goal on a turnover in front of the net, every goaliesnightmare, but he shook it off and stopped everything else from thenon. Everyone in the arena seemed to be focusing on Ricky, the coaches,the press, his teammates and the few fans that wandered in. The thingthat most impressed me was his poise. True, it was the first day oftraining camp and some skills may be a little rusty, but so too shouldRicky’s. He played big, he acted like a pro and probably gave some ofthe Islanders’ brain trust reason to rest a little easier.

Ricky is very aware of his situation, “You’ve got to realize that someof the mistakes you make in college aren’t going to fly here” he saidwhen asked about the differences between college and pro, “The guys arefaster and stronger and the puck could be right in front of you and thenin the back of the net before you know it” DiPietro said. Asked aboutbeing vocal on the ice, “As a goaltender you’re kind of the quarterback,and the defensemen appreciate it when you look out for them, you don’twant a defenseman getting run over because you don’t want them getting tiredor hurt then everyone suffers”. I asked Ricky about playing with Beezerand he spoke of Vanbiesbrouck with respect and admiration, “You have tomention him with the best U.S. born goaltenders ever to play the game,to sit next to him, to play a round of golf with him you learn so much,you see how he conducts himself as a person and as a player”. I askedif he felt any pressure, “There’s obviously some pressure, I try not tothink about the pressure and you’ve got to realize that they let go ofsome really great goaltenders so there is some pressure on me to be afactor, I feel completely blessed to be in this situation, I look backat the draft wondering where I would go and I can’t believe mysituation, it’s a dream come true”.

I can’t be sure if Ricky will have an impact this year or not, onlybecause It’s not clear if he will be starting any games this season. Vanbiesbrouck is the number one guy and probably should be, he’s a greatgoalie, and he appears to still have it. If DiPietro does start somegames this season, It’s a sure bet that he will make an impact. The NHLhasn’t seen a goalie with as much stick handling ability (Brodeuraside), charisma, and fire, probably ever. I think Beezer said it best,“You definitely don’t have to light a fire under his (DiPietro’s) tail,and bringing enthusiasm like that to the table is encouraging, it’s whatthis team needs, I like that about Rick”. I think Islanders fanseverywhere are going to like that about Rick. He’s the guy you hate onthe other team but love on your team, like every great player.

Thanks to Jason Lagnese, Manager of Media Relations for the Islandersfor allowing me nearly unlimited access to the islanders and arrangingfor me to speak with the players individually. Also to Paul Krepelka,Rick DiPietro’s agent of Bob Wolf Associates for his help and patience.